James Pierre Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Steelers vs Bears game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 17, 2025
Returns fumble for TD in Week 11
Pierre posted six tackles (three solo), two defensed passes and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown, in Sunday's 34-12 victory over the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
Pierre got the start and logged every one of the Steelers' defensive snaps with Darius Slay (concussion) unable to play. Pierre responded with a big game, finishing third on the Steelers in stops and recording two defensed passes. His biggest play came late in the fourth quarter, when he put the finishing touch on a Pittsburgh victory by recovering a fumble and taking it 34 yards to the house for a touchdown. It was the first score for Pierre in his six-year NFL career.
Mar 21, 2025
Remains in Steel City
The Steelers and Pierre agreed to a one-year contract Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre spent the 2024 offseason and preseason with the Commanders but didn't make the team in advance of Week 1. He eventually landed on the Steelers' practice squad in September before joining the active roster outright by the end of that month, starting two of his 16 appearances (including playoffs). Overall, the five-year pro recorded his third campaign with at least 20 tackles (23 last season, to be precise) and added three pass defenses (including one interception) and two forced fumbles. Pierre again will serve as a depth option at cornerback and as a regular on special teams in 2025.
Jan 22, 2025
Holds rotational role in 2024
Pierre recorded 23 tackles (17 solo), three pass defenses (including an interception) and two forced fumbles over 15 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
Pierre recorded more snaps on special teams than on defense, though he did make two starts for the Steelers. The veteran cornerback got far more defensive snaps (196) than the season prior, when he logged just 23. Pierre is set to be a free agent, and though he's valued by the Steelers for his role as a core special-teamer, he's not certain to be back with the team next season.
Mar 21, 2024
Signs with Washington
Pierre signed a contract with the Commanders on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Pierre spent the last four seasons in Pittsburgh, where he suited up for 16 regular-season games in 2023 while mostly contributing on special teams (267 snaps). He now gets an opportunity to compete for a depth role in the Commanders' cornerback corps this offseason.
Dec 12, 2023
Practices in full Tuesday
Pierre (shoulder) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre missed Thursday's 21-18 loss to the Patriots with a shoulder injury he was able to play through the two previous weeks. Head coach Mike Tomlin noted after Tuesday's practice that Pierre "has an opportunity to play" in Saturday's contest against the Colts.
Dec 6, 2023
Ruled out for Week 14
Pierre (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Steelers' Week 14 matchup with the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre has been able to play through his shoulder issue each of the last two weeks, but he'll be forced to sit out Week 14 versus New England. Chandon Sullivan and Darius Rush are candidates to see an increase in workload in Pittsburgh's secondary in Pierre's absence.
Dec 4, 2023
Injury lingers
Pierre (shoulder) is considered questionable for Thursday's game against the Patriots, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre has been dealing with the injury since Week 12 prep but has been able to play through it. It's not clear if the 27-year-old aggravated the injury Sunday against the Cardinals or if the injury is just continuing to linger. Either way, Pierre's status will remain in question until closer to kickoff Thursday.
Nov 26, 2023
Set to face Bengals
Pierre (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre failed to practice Friday due to the shoulder issue, but he'll nevertheless be ready to suit up. He's played primarily on special teams this season and that should remain the case against the Bengals.
Nov 24, 2023
Could play Week 12
Pierre (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre seems to be trending in the wrong direction to play in Sunday's divisional matchup, as he's gone from limited practice sessions both Wednesday and Thursday to a DNP on Friday. The fourth-year cornerback has appeared in 10 games for the Steelers this season, recording five total tackles and playing almost strictly on special teams.
Oct 29, 2023
Active despite ankle issue
Pierre (ankle) is active Week against the Jaguars.
ANALYSIS
Pierre was added to the injury report Friday with an ankle injury, but it won't prevent him from missing his first game of the season. The fourth-year defensive back has primarily been a special teams contributor this season with the Steelers.
Mar 21, 2023
Returning to Pittsburgh
The Steelers re-signed Pierre on Tuesday, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre logged 29 tackles (22 solo) and an interception for Pittsburgh last year and now the 26-year-old will return for the 2023 season. Originally a restricted free agent, the Steelers opted not to tender Pierre last week but will now get him back at a cheaper price. The 2020 undrafted free agent should provide solid depth in the secondary as well as seeing time on special teams next season.
Jan 6, 2023
Set to play Sunday
Pierre (concussion) has cleared league protocol and is expected to play Sunday versus the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre was a full participant at practice all week and looks likely to return to the the Steelers' secondary for their regular season finale against Cleveland. The 26-year-old will be back in his role as a depth option in the secondary behind the likes of Cameron Sutton and Arthur Maulet at cornerback.
Jan 4, 2023
Logs full practice
Pierre (concussion) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Pierre suffered a concussion Sunday against the Ravens. His ability to log a full practice is certainly good news for his potential availability Week 18 against the Browns. However, it doesn't necessarily mean he's cleared the league protocols, while leave him currently questionable against Cleveland.
Jan 1, 2023
Concussion confirmed
Pierre won't return to Sunday's contest at Baltimore due to a concussion.
ANALYSIS
Pierre was checked for a head injury in the first half Sunday, and now that he officially has a concussion, he'll be subject to league protocols in order to gain clearance to play Week 18 against the Browns.
Jan 1, 2023
Getting checked for head injury
Pierre is being examined for a head injury during Sunday's game at Baltimore, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
If he eventually is diagnosed with a concussion, Pierre will be subject to league protocols before he'll be allowed to see game action. Prior to Sunday, he's had close to an even split in snaps between defense (221) and special teams (183) on his way to 24 tackles and one interception in 15 games.
Oct 22, 2022
Will play Sunday night
Pierre (hip/knee) had his injury designation removed Saturday and is expected to play Sunday in Miami, Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre had been questionable due to hip and knee injuries, but he's now been cleared for Sunday Night Football after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday. He stepped in to play 94 percent of the team's defensive snaps last week against Tampa Bay and tallied three tackles.
Jan 19, 2022
Back from COVID list
Pierre was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback was placed on the COVID list Friday, which forced him to miss the Steelers' wild-card loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. Pierre played in all 17 of the Steelers' regular season contests in 2021 but failed to register a defensive snap in the final six games.
Jan 14, 2022
Lands on COVID list
Pierre (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Pierre's move into COVID protocols comes just two days before the Steelers takes on the Chiefs in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. He can still potentially gain clearance in time and suit up Sunday, but if he can't the move will impact the Steelers' special teams unit more than it's defense, as Pierre hasn't played a defensive snap since Week 12 against the Bengals.
Nov 21, 2021
Primed for every-down role
Pierre is expected to handle an every-down role at cornerback in Sunday's game against the Chargers with Joe Haden (foot) sidelined, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Haden made an early exit last week in the Steelers' 16-16 tie with the Lions, allowing Pierre to take on his largest snap share (74 percent) since Week 5. Pierre tied his season-high total with seven tackles, and he should continue to have ample play-making opportunities Week 11 with both Haden and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (reserve/COVID-19 list) out of the picture.
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